Singapore extends reign in global shipping center rankings as Shanghai climbs

July 20 ------ Shanghai has climbed to become the world’s second-most prominent shipping hub, while Singapore remains at the top spot, according to the 2026 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index (ISCDI), published jointly by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency.

Singapore has remained the world’s leading international shipping center for the thirteenth consecutive year, achieving a score of 99.32 out of 100, reflecting its strategic location and established maritime services spanning finance, insurance and legal expertise, as well as its importance to alternative fuel development and technological innovation. In 2025, the Port of Singapore handled a record 44.66 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in container throughput and 3.22 billion gross tonnage in vessel arrivals.

The Port of Singapore also remained the world’s largest bunkering port, supplying a record 56.77 million tons of marine fuel, including growing volumes of alternative marine fuels. Today, Singapore is connected to more than 600 ports worldwide and is home to over 200 international shipping groups.

The latest rankings also highlight the strengthening position of China’s maritime sector, with several of the country’s major shipping centers recording gains. Ningbo-Zhoushan, Guangzhou, Qingdao and Tianjin all improved their standings from last year, underscoring China’s expanding maritime connectivity, port competitiveness and shipping service capabilities.

"We are honored that Singapore has once again been recognized as the world’s leading maritime center. This reflects the strong commitment and collective efforts of our industry partners and the wider maritime community. As the industry continues to evolve, we will continue working closely with our partners to strengthen Maritime Singapore’s competitiveness and create value for the global maritime community," commented Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Widely regarded as a leading global benchmark for maritime competitiveness, the Xinhua-Baltic ISCDI evaluates the world’s shipping centers across a range of criteria, including port operations, maritime business services and the overall business environment.

After years of steadily closing the gap, Shanghai (with a score of 84.27) overtook London (81.80) to become second in the 2026 index. As highlighted, Shanghai has consistently climbed from seventh place since the ISCDI was launched in 2014, marking the continued strengthening of its position as a global maritime center for containerized trade. "This year’s Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index Report is a reflection of the growth and importance of our global shipping hubs amid a continuing period of volatility in shipping markets. On behalf of Baltic Exchange, I would like to recognize all international maritime centers that keep our global trade moving and shipping sailing in the right direction," said Mark Jackson, Chief Executive of Baltic Exchange.

London ranked third in this year’s index, followed by Hong Kong in fourth with 80.87 and Dubai in fifth with 77.13. All three shipping centers have remained in the top five alongside Singapore and Shanghai for nine consecutive years, underscoring the stability of the world’s leading global maritime centers. Furthermore, Ningbo-Zhoushan rose one place to reach sixth with a score of 71.09 while Rotterdam fell one place with a score 70.22.

Meanwhile, New York/New Jersey rose two places to eighth with a score of 69.50, overtaking Athens/Piraeus (68.76) and Hamburg (67.36) who both remain in the top 10. "Our long-term research shows that competition among international shipping centers has evolved beyond port scale and route networks to encompass broader capabilities in green transition, digital innovation, maritime governance and global resource allocation. As the global trading system undergoes profound transformation and a new wave of technological revolution gathers pace, the international shipping industry is entering a new phase of development, bringing fresh opportunities while also facing increasingly complex challenges," highlighted Cao Zhanzhong, Head of Xinhua Index Research Institute of China Economic Information Service.

While no new maritime centers enter the top 20 this year, movement within the ranking highlights that, although established centers remain stable, competition among them is becoming increasingly dynamic.

The ISCDI report assesses 43 international shipping centers against a broad range of criteria covering port performance, maritime services and the wider business environment. The index measures factors including cargo throughput, port infrastructure, shipbroking, ship management, maritime finance, insurance and legal services, while also evaluating customs efficiency, digital government capabilities and overall logistics performance.

Source: safety4sea.com